Tribune Mulls Next Steps After FCC Accuses Sinclair of Deception

Tribune Media Co. said it was assessing its options after regulators sent the company’s proposed $3.9 billion acquisition by Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc. to the uncertain future of a hearing.

The Federal Communications Commission released an order July 19 that accused Sinclair of misleading the agency and attempting to skirt ownership rules for television stations as it sought approval to buy Tribune.

Tribune called the order “troubling.”

“We are currently evaluating its implications and assessing all of our options in light of today’s developments,” the Chicago-based broadcaster said in a statement.

The FCC questioned whether Sinclair was in fact the ...